I'm planning to buy hardwood for my bedroom furniture for the first time, but the local supplier only offers rough lumber, typically around 6 inches wide. I'm looking for 12 feet of 2x2 material and a sheet of plywood. Since I don't have a planer or joiner, can I just cut the lumber to a size of 1.5 inches using a table saw? Also, they only have MDF core plywood—does that really matter for my project? I'm considering using maple or red oak, but I'm unsure how they compare to pine in terms of workability.
3 Answers
It's common for nicer lumber to be sold rough cut, so if you're really interested in woodworking, you might want to invest in some basic hand tools like a planer or jointer for smoother results. Just be careful with large pieces because you might end up with flaws in your lumber. Maple looks great varnished and takes stains well, while red oak has beautiful color but can be tricky without the right tools.
Using just a table saw should work for milling 2x2 boards, but you'll need a simple jointing jig to help create straight edges. Just clamp or tape your rough board down to a plywood piece with one straight edge and run that through the saw to create the clean sides. The key is to use a ripping blade instead of a multipurpose blade—it'll make a huge difference. Does your setup allow for this?
Would this process be similar if I'm milling down a 2x2 from a 2x6 pine board instead? I tried using a level against my fence to ensure a straight cut.
It's generally best to avoid rough lumber unless you have the tools to mill it down yourself. Maple and red oak will be easier to work with than pine, especially since they cut cleanly with less tear-out. For your plywood, you don't necessarily need MDF core—it might actually be a better quality than lumber core, and for a small project like yours, the difference won’t be noticeable. If you can find it, look for 6/4 lumber that’s S4S (surfaced on all four sides), so you don't have to process the rough lumber yourself. Alternatively, consider buying stair treads from a lumberyard or big box store, which you can cut down to size on your table saw.
That makes more sense! I didn't realize MDF core would be a higher grade. I'll keep looking for more defined maple or red oak.
I don't have many specialized tools, just basics like a table saw and drills. I really just need enough wood for legs and plywood for the rest. I'm thinking of using a bridle joint to put everything together.